Raised in gold mining town in central Australia. Quit school at 14 to sell hand-carved handkerchief boxes. Dabbled in plumbing, construction, a small airline and ice skating ventures. His best cash business came as a going-away gift in 1962 when he stepped down from his job as a manager for an earthmoving outfit. The company chairman gave Perron Toyota franchise rights, allowing Perron to set up dealerships in Western Australia. Perron says he tried to give it away, but "nobody wanted it."